1.2.3...21.

My sincerest apologies for the lack of updates. Let's chalk it up to me being busy making the experiences I'll now blog about. However, we have a lot to catch up on. I'll do my best to make this comprehensive with a side of chuckle.
I like lists, so here we go.

1. Life in Sevilla:
I suppose you could say we're all settled in. I have class in the mornings and evening... all of which are superinteresante. Did you know that Andorra (the country between France and Spain that no one knows/cares about) has a population of 86,000 people, is a tax haven, and is the supposed location of Genovia (for all you Princess Diaries fans out there)? That's the size of some of the towns in NorthEast Tennessee just to give you some perspective. Que interesante.
Other than classes, I've spent most of my time trying out as many tapas as possible, playing futbol every Monday night, and  have even made it to a Sevilla (NOT Betis) futbol game against Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey. Oh, and the Arab Baths... put it on your bucket list. After the Baths I felt like jelly for about three days. Such a relaxing place. The rest of the day-to-day is lots of biking, drinking cafe con leche with friends, running by the river, volunteering, Spanish TV series with my host family, hanging out with our rockstar staff at ISA (my program, International Studies Abroad), staying updated on the new Pope, and CELEBRATING MY 21ST BIRTHDAY (See "Paris"). There are so many people to learn about and learn from here. It's overwhelming. 4 months could never be enough time.

Andorra's the "AND." in the top right. The poor thing doesn't even get it's full name spelled.

The TV series we watch every Tuesday night. Addicted.

2. GBU y otras cosas:
Speaking of cool people to learn from... Grupos Biblicos Unidos. Basically Campus Crusade but for Europe. It's been quite literally a blessing from heaven. The people I've met, friends I've made... God is so good. There are students from all over the world in the Bible Study, and one precious girl I've met, Estrella, even introduced me to my new church family. God has answered prayer all over the place.
I suppose this is as good as a place as any to insert some of the progress in this "Ground and Growth" concept. Honestly, I don't have much to elaborate on yet. Life has just been happening, with little time to process. Which has probably been good for me. But, I CAN say Christ has given me reassurance. I'm realizing the simplicity of the Gospel. The simplicity of His commands. Maybe in all this, I just needed to breathe some child-like-faith air away from the spiral I was in in the States. Here, what I think about denominations, Business as Missions, or the role of women doesn't matter as much. What matters is if Christ is seen through me. Joy, forgiveness, peace, assurance in salvation, and hope for eternity. These concepts have long seemed redundant and obvious, but I lost sight of them. In a culture that looks at so much religion but doesn't actually SEE it, that hears so much religiosity but doesn't or can't LISTEN to it and what Christ offers... one can't help to realize what's most important. I had lost Gospel vision. I had forgotten that the point of this life He gives us isn't to belong or to figure out how to make people like us but to draw people to Him. As my dear friend Krump reminded me, the promises of following Him are nothing short of uncomfortable, lonely, and risky. The road is absolutely terrifying. He doesn't call us to normal or comfortable or settled, but to claim His promises of sufficient grace to love those around us. He simply calls us to obedience. I have failed, am failing, and will continue to fail at this a lot. Yet, His strength is made perfect in our weakness. Poco a poco. ....that's all for now.

3. Barcelona & Valencia
Goodness. Where to begin. Four of us travelled to Barcelona about two weeks ago for a whirlwind of a weekend. Two flights, two cities, and a bus in three days. Mostly, I'd recommend you go to Facebook and check out the pictures. Words hardly do it justice. However, a brief overview: We hit up La Sagrada Familia, Parque Guell (a Gaudi creation), Las Ramblas, Monjuic, and quite a few snacks in between all of that. I was also able to see two friends of my family that we have known since the Browns' days in Barcelona. Little by little, I feel like I'm experiencing some of my family's history. It's honestly pretty cool. Valencia was basically one big fieldtrip to the Aquarium, which was well worth it. ...I know that all sounds very report-y, so if you want actual fun pics and anecdotes, hit up FB.

Barcelona, Plaza de Catalunya (I think)/ Shameless selfies with mis amigas.

Valencia, Cathedral.

5. Paris
Audrey was right, Paris is always a good idea. Even if was a bit chilly and rainy, the world's fashion capital didn't disappoint. We toured a bit, ate way too many crepes, and mostly enjoyed just a small peak into every day life in Paris. Montmartre is hands down my favorite. Three years ago on my high school capstone trip to Europe, I, and three of my closest friends Noelle Sibley, Melissa Auter, and Bekah Presley, found ourselves in a hole-in-the-wall piano bar with slightly overpriced crepes. Nevertheless, it was exactly how I had always pictured Paris: the artists corner with people who loved beauty, art, each other, and cigarettes. Three years later, I found my way back and would still pay 7 Euros for the crepes in that bar with the same tipsy pianist any day. It's hard to explain, but some places just feel like pockets of home. It's safe to say Paris not only took my iPhone, but also gave me some perspective in return.
Oh, I also got to spend my 21st birthday there. No pasa nada. :) It consisted of a visit to Notre Dame, a nutella and banana crepe, and a flight home which was ended with quite a few letters and packages and friends from back home. I still feel so loved. After spending my 16th in New York with Mariah, my 18th in Rome with all my closest high school friends, and my 21st in Paris with two of the coolest study abroad friends I could ask for... I'd say I've successfully completed the birthday triumvirate. Here's to the 21st year.

Versailles and Eiffel Tour.

The view of Montmartre from the Eiffel Tour.

Pictures from Paris and other things will be up later today. Ojala.

and, as promised, 6. TEO. Ok, not really. But, here's a video regardless.

...slightly awkward. but there you go. I'll see if I can sneak attack a video of Teo sometime.
Until next time,
Liz.